Long have the Scots been regarded as the producer of the world’s finest whiskies. After all, the country has been distilling the spirit for more than 500 years — according to an entry in the Exchequer Rolls, Scotland’s tax records dating to 1494, an entry notes “eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor, wherewith to make aqua vitae”. The malt quantity was sufficient to make approximately 1,500 bottles of this ‘water of life’, suggesting that the production of whisky had by then reached considerable proportions.

But with distilleries from all over bursting onto the scene with whiskies of compelling quality and styles, the market finds itself with plenty more choices, many of which give the Scots a good run for their money. In the last few years, connoisseurs have been delighted to find top-quality drams coming from the east, particularly Japan and, surprisingly, Taiwan. These Asian distilleries may be relatively young compared to their Scottish peers, but that has not stopped them from winning over the palates of whisky judges and aficionados everywhere.

Here is a selection of the top five whiskies that have made headlines around the world.